Best SET power amp below $5,000
Curious to get the benefit of the knowledge in this forum.
I currently have a low power SET amp, paired with 94db loudspeakers. Sounds great, but tbh, I bought it 20 years ago, and even then, my process was not particularly thoughtful.
Not trying to start an argument about push-pull vs SET. Though I am not an electrician or sound engineer, my instinct is that a simpler circuit is better. At this point, I am just interested in what folks here think are the best options for SET amps—in the $5,000 price range. I am also open to the feedback that the price range is too limiting.
I am open to new or used and given the many years that vacuum tubes have been used for this purpose, curious if there is any technology advantage in newer products, holding their condition constant (ie comparing a 1950s era SET amp to a 2022 design, both in mint condition).
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I don't know of many under $5,000 SET amps, except the Elekit 300b amps. It comes either assembled or as a kit. I saw the instructions to the kit and the instructions are quite good and clear so I think anyone can build it if they have a little bit of experience with soldering, stripping wire, etc. I like the sound of that amp even though I am generally not a 300b fan. I like low-powered tube amps, including SET amps. I own a pair of Audio Note Kageki (parallel SET using 2a3 tubes). But, many of my favorite low-powered tube amps are of the pushpull variety. If I were in the market for really nice low-powered amps, I would be looking at 6L6 or KT66 or EL84 pushpull amps as well as SET amps. |
I'm not trying to be cynical or argumentative, but to what 2022 designs are you referring? One way or another, current tube amps' designs are based on 1930 - early 1960 designs. Components may be upgraded, but the designs are hardly space age. And in the end, many still look for throwbacks, especially for tubes. For about $5000, you can get a new Cary 300SEI SET running 300Bs. And as previously pointed out, Dennis Had who designed this amp when he was at Cary, has a line of SET amps for under $5000. Audion has several SETs "around" your price point. The Elekits get good reviews are are relatively inexpensive. I am down to one SET that is specifically matched to the speakers it powers. The rest of my amps are PP and are more interchangeable with other speakers allowing me to "adjust" the sound a bit. What don't t you like about the sound you have? |
Like @larryi , there are very nice, if properly designed, push pull amps out there. I'm using decware, which you have to buy on the secondary market if you don't want an 18 month wait. I had an SE34I.5 which was excellent SET. I upgraded to their ZMA, a push pull amp that is hard to distinguish sonicly from an SET. Very happy with it. While it can provide more power, the magic still happens in the first watt. Stay away from the mass produced push pull amps. |
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